Spec me a winter jacket

Outdoor coats are very much activity specific. A 3-layer goretex pro or paramo jacket will keep you dry in the most torrential rain but wear it for anything strenuous and you will be soaking inside through condensation of your own sweat.
With that in mind anything that isn't a hard shell will be water-resistant(through and maintaining DWR treatment) but not waterproof, and breathable depending on thickness.

If you want waterproof don't expect breathability. The 2 above fabrics do it best but they still don't breath to full effect it needs ideal conditions for pressure and humidity. You also get what you pay for; an expensive jacket you can expect a good fit with features such as taped seamed and water/windproof zips but don't expect just because it is Rab it will keep you dry.

As far as layering it goes my preference is
1. Baselayer - for working hard
2. Breathable lightweight midlayer/fleece to take some of the chill off you if you're working hard or walking/cold but not too windy stood still
3. Softshell (lightly insulated) jacket (60-120gsm depending on coldness) to keep you more warm when stood/sat about. can replace 2. on its own or combo with 2. closer to winter

4. Hardshell (waterproof and windproof) jacket; goes on after 2. or 3. or replaces 3. or both by being water/windproof and insulated
5. Belay/Down jacket. replaces 3. used when really cold and to keep you warm. can also be used over 3. if needed

You can also get combinations of all these types but those are the main layering scenarios and gives flexibility so if you're out on an activity you can take a layer on and off without having to swap a load of layers continuously.

Look more at the fabric than the makes as a lot of companies use different types and their own with different performances. The likes of Montaine, Rab, Jottnar, Patagonia, Haglofs, Black Diamond, Fjallraven, PHD, Arc'teryx, Mountain Equipment or Paramo all make great gear and would be my picks but some are better than others even within the same manufacturer.
 
Received my Fjallraven Skogso padded jacket today, well pleased with it, lightweight, breathable materials yet warm with the g-soft padding, these come up huge I got a small after finding out the precise measurements, got it for good price as well.
 
beachBOYken said:
Received my Fjallraven Skogso padded jacket today, well pleased with it, lightweight, breathable materials yet warm with the g-soft padding, these come up huge I got a small after finding out the precise measurements, got it for good price as well.
Click to expand...
How are you getting on with this jacket? I'm either looking at this one or the one without padding. A bit worried that the padded one may be too warm
 
Another vote for UniQlo Ultralight Down, with a few decent layers (baselayer/thermals, t-shirt, hoodie) it's allowed me to get away with shorts all year round, including waiting on a train platform in the middle of winter and playing in the snow. Usually have a packable waterproof layer in my bag too if the rain gets too heavy as the uniqlo down isn't great in anything heavier than a drizzle.

Has the added advantage of not having to lug around a bulky jacket, and the layers make it easy to adjust to different environments/temps.
 
patagonia down-filled for cold but not wet
carhartt work jacket for cold and wet
barbour quilted for not cold but wet
lyle & scott parka for very cold but not wet/ snow-like
hoodie + all saints leather jacket for not wet, cold and very windy
hoodie + timberland waterproof for wet, cold and windy

/thread
 
rallyfan1986 said:
How are you getting on with this jacket? I'm either looking at this one or the one without padding. A bit worried that the padded one may be too warm
Click to expand...

I've had my Skogso for a couple of years and I've been very happy with it. But I find it not warm enough for me when it's really cold, but that's probably me as I feel the cold. In the time I've had my Skogso I've lost a couple of stone, and it's made a massive difference.

Even with an icebreaker base layer, normal t-shirt and a fleece I can still be cold.

Looking at getting a Fjallraven Singi Down Parka, it's a quite a bit heavier/thicker, but should suit me for the days when it's super cold. Walking on the coast when it's cold ain't fun when you really feel it.
 
Last edited:
rallyfan1986 said:
How are you getting on with this jacket? I'm either looking at this one or the one without padding. A bit worried that the padded one may be too warm
Click to expand...

I used it last Winter, if you can call it that in the UK. Not used it yet as its not cold enough, but I found it fine last winter. I personally find the padding ok, and because it’s lightweight I can easily where it in cold temps or when it’s slightly warmer over the winter months. Quality of it seems good, but again I have only warn it for one season so far.

Got a decent amount of pockets as well.

It’s easily the best coat I have bought.

I think if you got the padded one, you would be quite surprised how adaptable it is to cold temps or wearing when it’s a slightly warmer winter.

As said above it may not be there best coat for really extreme cold, but I think it’s decent enough, I found it fine when we had that short cold snap last winter, For UK winter I feel it’s perfect.

As I originally said though make sure you check the measurements as they come up big, more so in the arm length, I’m 6ft tall / slim and have long arms and the small is perfect, actually I think the Swedish are known for long arms, that’s why there coats arm length is longer.
 
I made the mistake of buying a ski jacket for my last winter coat lol...
it was on a big discount from 200chf > 60chf during the off season though

leave the house and stay freezing until you build up some body heat from exercise... oops

I was trying on loads of expensive coats walking around the city and none of the super expensive brands fit me :/ clothes are not designed for tall people
 
Last edited:
I've a bunch of stuff but what gets used the most in this country:

Pentagon Leonidas 2.0
M65 Jacket w/ thermal fleece - well rounded for a mix of conditions
Urban Classics winter parka (the old design) - surprisingly good as it has a Gore-Tex like outer and a light down/hybrid filling - even the worst downpour it just shrugs off, incredibly warm in real cold but stays comfortable in more normal winter temperatures. The downside is it is a bit cumbersome but would perform decently for extended cold weather use. (I might be completely wrong but it looks like Helly Hansen are now selling the old design at a huge mark up and UC are selling a cheaper substitute).

The only thing I lack really is for a lightweight waterproof.
 
Last edited:
ive just bought myself a mountain equipment Mission Jacket that i tried on a couple of years ago, should be here soon

also if you want the next level up in warmth a Vulkan from Mountain Equipment is really good too

If you want a warm but not bulky , and not completely waterproof, get a "Soft Shell" (like the 2 i mentioned)
 
ShiWarrior said:
ive just bought myself a mountain equipment Mission Jacket that i tried on a couple of years ago, should be here soon

also if you want the next level up in warmth a Vulkan from Mountain Equipment is really good too

If you want a warm but not bulky , and not completely waterproof, get a "Soft Shell" (like the 2 i mentioned)
Click to expand...


I've had the mountain equipment Vulcan jacket for 2.5 years good softshell washed and waterproofed 3 times no problems just make sure to pop in a mesh wash bag when cleaning and drying
 
pinkpound said:
I've had the mountain equipment Vulcan jacket for 2.5 years good softshell washed and waterproofed 3 times no problems just make sure to pop in a mesh wash bag when cleaning and drying
Click to expand...

I need to re waterproof my coat, what do you recommended please>
#
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom